Defibrillator guide for first time buyers

A defibrillator is a medical device that is used when someone suffers a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). When this happens, the heart beats irregularly due to an electrical fault meaning the person will fall unconscious within a matter of seconds. It is paramount that urgent care is delivered when someone suffers a SCA as the chance of survival if nobody intervenes is unfortunately very slim.

Thankfully, this is where a defibrillator comes in. Designed to help restore the heart back to it’s normal rhythm, a defibrillator cleverly scans the heart to determine whether a shock is needed and if so will then administer the correct level of shock, the aim of this is to stop the heart in order to it to begin beating again at it’s normal pace.

There are two main types of defibrillator, semi-automatic and automatic, they both work in exactly the same way when it comes to helping someone who has suffered a SCA however, an automatic defibrillator will administer a shock without you doing anything whereas a semi-automatic defibrillator requires you to press a button in order to shock the patient.

All defibrillators are designed to be used by anyone whether they are a medical professional or have no first aid experience at all. With clear visual and audio instructions, defibrillators guide you clearly through each stage of the process so that you always have assistance and know what you are doing throughout.

Of course, when someone does suffer a SCA the first thing you should do is call the emergency services, after this you should begin CPR and find your nearest defibrillator. Defibrillators are often installed in offices, shops, sports centres and local towns so it is useful to keep an eye out where your nearest defibrillator is in case of an emergency.

Picking the most suitable defibrillator for you however can be quite tricky, with so many on the market, it can be overwhelming deciding which one to opt for but, we can help make this stage a little easier. Firstly, consider your environment, important things to think about are if your defibrillator will need to be stored in or outdoors and will it be exposed to the elements? Another thing to consider is who is it most likely to be used on, as there are defibrillators designed for both adults and children.

Once you know where and who your defibrillator is most likely to be used, deciding which one to opt for becomes much easier. With robust and weather resistant defibrillators available, they are ideal for sports facilities where they are likely to be used outside or for scenarios where they may be taken outside for lengthy periods of time and may be prone to be dropped and damaged such as if they were taken on a hike or up a mountain.

If your environment is a little bit calmer and you need a defibrillator for indoors such as use in an office or supermarket, there are defibrillators that are simply designed for indoor use with cabinets available for those stored both in and outdoors to keep them safe and for easy access. As children can also suffer cardiac arrests, opting for a defibrillator that is designed specifically for children is the best option when looking for one for a school, these defibrillators deliver a lower shock so that they do not do damage to the heart.

When you have decided which defibrillator you want, from there, there are lots of options to also purchase cabinets, an additional battery, more AED pads and carry cases to ensure you are always fully prepared. Offering market leading brands such as CU Medical, Phillips and Cardiac Science, you will find all of your defibrillator products on our website.